Fastener for coffin-lids



(N0 Model.)

L. L. FLETCHER.

FASTBNER PoR GOPPIN uns. I No. 599,109. Patented Feb. 15, 1898.

' Ewa L Ham@ ZZZZE; i; g

NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LEVI L. FLETCHER, OF MALTA, OHIO.

FASTENER FOR COFFINe-LIDS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 599,109, dated February 15, l1898.

Application filed February 26, 1897. Serial No. 625,152. (No model.)

T0 a/ZZ whom t may concern.-

Beit known that I, LEVI L. FLETCHER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Malta, in the county of Morgan and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Fastener for Coftin-Lids, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to fasteners for cofn or casket lids, and has for its object to provide a simple, inexpensive, and efficient fastener of this character readily applicable to any form of casket, box, or other receptacle.

To this end the invention primarily contemplates a form of fastener especially useful in connection with varnished work, although the saine is equally as well adapted for use on cloth-covered goods, and a further object is to provide a fastener which will securely fasten the lid in place, While at the same time being capable of ready releasement.

Another object of theinvention is to provide a construction of fastener requiring no cutting in the lid except for the reception of a dowel-plate.

With these and other objects in View, which will readily appear as the nature of the invention is better understood,the same consists in the novel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, illustrated, and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view through the upper edge of a burial-casket and the adjacent portion of the lid, showing the improved fastener in `its looked position. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the escutcheon-plate. Fig. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the escutcheon-plate and pivotal catch-plate iitted thereto. Fig. 4 is a detail in perspective of the dowel member of the fastener. Fig. 5 is a similar view with the releasing-wire removed. Fig. 6 is a detail in perspective of the angled releasing-wire for the catch-plate of the escutcheon member of the fastener. Fig. 7 is a detail sectional view on the line 0c x of Fig. 1.

Referring to the accompanying drawings,

` the numeral 1 designates the upper edge portion of a coffin or casket, over which is arranged the usual lid 2, and it is the purpose of the present invention to have the improved fastener securely lock the lid in place. The escutcheon member of the fastener essentially comprises a rectangular escutcheon-plate 3, adapted to be seated in the top edge of the coftin or casket overa dowel-receiving mortise v4, formed in such edge for the reception of the dowel portion of the fastener. The rectangular escutcheon-plate 3 lies flush with the v top edge of the cofiin or casket and is provided with a central rectangular dowel-opening 5, at opposite side edges of which opening are formed parallel depending retainingflanges 6, between which works a pivotal catch-plate 7. The pivotal catchplate 7 is located at the under side of the opening 5 and is of a size and form corresponding to said opening, so as to provide a complete closure therefor when in its normal elevated position,

and the said pivotal catch-plate 7, which plays i between the parallel flanges 6, is provided at one end with laterally-projected pivot-lugs 8, which are loosely confined between one end of the flanges 6 and an adjacent curved bearing-lip 9, formed integrally with the escutcheon-plate 3 and depending from one end of the dowel-opening 5 at a point adjacent to one end ofthe flanges 6. It will be observed at this point that the said flanges are somewhat shorter in length than the opening 5 to permit of the pivotal mounting of the catch-plate 7 in the manner described. The catch-plate 7 is normally held elevated against the under side of the escutcheon-plate over its dowelf opening 5 by means of the bowed leaf-spring 10, lying within the mortise or recess 4 and bearing at its free end against the underside of the plate 7. The other end ofthe spring 10 is secured fast, as at 11, to the under side of the escutcheon-plate. n

In connection with the escutcheon member of the fastener just described there is employed a dowel member 12, having a circular Yplate 13, adapted to be seated in the under side or edge of the lid 2, lying directly over the escutcheon-plate. The circular dowelplate13 is fiat, thereby necessitating the formation of only a shallow mortise in the under side of the lid for the reception thereof, and projected integrally from the dowel-plate 13 is a rigid inclined or oblique fastening-dowel 14, provided with a beveled nose or point 15, facilitating insertion through the dowel-opening 5 of the escutcheon, and in its under side, near the 'point thereof, with a catch-shoulder 16, which engages with the free end of the pivotal catch-plate 7 of the escutcheon member, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings. The dowel member of the fastener, including the plates 13 and 14, is formed with an opening 17, which pierces the-dowel 14 and accommodates for movement therein the rock-arm 18 of the angled releasing-Wire 19. The angled releasing-Wire 19 is formed with a straight intermediate portion 20, lying loosely within a transverse bearing-groove 21, formed in the upper side of the dowel-plate 13, and at its outer end the said releasing-wire is formed with an offstanding finger-lever 22, adapted to lie under the edge of the lid in a convenient position for being manipulated with the fingers. Vhen the dowel-plate 13 is fitted in position to the lid, the releasingwire 19 is necessarily retained within the bearing grooves 21 therefor, and the said dowel-plate 13 is illustrated as being provided with a bearing-groove 21 at each side of the opening 17, so as to adaptthe dowel member for use at either side of the lid.

Vhen the lid is placed on the cofiin or casket and slid in a longitudinal direction while being pressed downward, the rigid dowel 14 passes into the dowel-opening 5 of the escutcheon, thereby depressing the free end of the pivot-al catch-plate 7,the free end of which catch-plate snaps into engagement with the shoulder 1G of the dowel and securely fastensv the same in position. To release the dowel and thereby permit the removal of the lid, the finger-lever 22 of the releasing-Wire is lmanipulated so as to carry the rock-arm 18 downward against the catch-plate 7, thereby depressing such catch-plate out of engagement with the shoulder 1G and permitting the withdrawal of the dowel. When the dowel is withdrawn, the spring lO forces the plate 7 up against the under side of the escutcheon-plate and thereby completely covers the unsightly hole within the escutcheon.

In connection with the fastening-dowel and its escutcheon there is usually employed a foot-dowel 23, arranged in longitudinal alinement with the dowel 14 and projected at an inclination or obliquely from the dowel-plate 24, fitted to the under side of the lid in the same manner as the plate 13 g but with the foot-dowel 23 no catch-plate is necessary, so the opening 5 of the escutcheon-plate is normally covered by means of a plate-spring 25, secured fast at one end to the under side of the escutcheon-plate and normally lying flat against the under side of the escutcheon-plate, over the opening therein, it being understood that the free end of the plate-spring 25 is depressed when the dowel 23 is inserted through the escutcheon.

Changes in the form, proportion, and the minor details of construction may be resorted to Without departing from the principle or sacriiicing any of the advantages of this in-y vention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is-

1. A fastener of the class described comprising an escutcheon-plate having an opening therein, a normally spring-elevated catchplate pivotally iitted at one end to the escutcheon-plate and of a size coexten'sive with said opening, so as to completely cover the latter, and a fastening-dowel having a shoulder adapted to engage over the free end of the catch-plate, substantially as described.

2. A fastener of the class described comprising an escutcheon-plate having an opening therein, a spring-elevated catch-plate pivotally fitted to the escutcheon-plate below the opening thereof,a dowel member having an inclined dowel provided with a shoulder adapted to engage over the free end of said catchplate, and a releasing-wire loosely journaled in the dowel member and having a rock-arm portion adapted to work against the catchplate, substantially as described.

3. A fastener of the class described, comprising an escutcheon-plate having an opening therein, depending retaining iianges formed at opposite side edges of said opening, and a depending bearing-lip formed at one end of the opening adjacent to one end of said flanges, a normally spring-elevated catch -plate working between said fianges over said opening and provided at one end with lateral pivot-lugs loosely confined between one end of said flanges and the bearin g-lip,and a shouldered fastening-dowel having a locking engagement with the freev end of said catch-plate, substantially as set forth.

Li. A fastener of the class described, comprising an escutclieon-plate having an openin g therein, a spring-actuated catch-plate pivotally mounted at the under side of the escutcheon-plate, a dowel member having a plate formed in its upper side with a transverse bearing-groove, and a rigid inclined fastening-dowel projected integrally from the plate and having a shoulder in its under side for engagement with the catch plate said dowel member being formed With an opening piercing the rigid dowel, and an angled releasing-wire journaled in the bearing-groove of the dowel-plate and having an outer fingerlever portion, and an inner rock-arm lying within the opening of the dowel member, substantially as set forth. y

In testimony that l claim the foregoing as my own l have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

Lnvi L. rLnrcnEn.

Vitnesses:

(l1-ms. H. Fours, O. T. MAsTnRsoN.

IOO

IIO 

